Randolph County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Randolph County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Randolph County may access publicly available information through RandolphCountyRecords.org, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Criminal records accessible through such platforms may include arrest logs, court case filings, booking records, conviction histories, and active warrant information. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the originating agency, the nature of the case, and applicable state law governing public disclosure.
The following methods represent the primary channels through which criminal records in Randolph County may be obtained:
1. County Court Records
The Randolph County Superior Court maintains case files for felony and misdemeanor proceedings. Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the clerk's office during regular business hours. Requestors are advised to bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date.
Randolph County Superior Court Clerk's Office
176 E Salisbury St, Asheboro, NC 27203
Phone: (336) 318-6500
Randolph County Courts
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Public access terminals are available within the clerk's office for on-site case searches at no charge.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Randolph County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking logs, and current inmate rosters. Requests for arrest records may be submitted in person or in writing. Fees for copies are assessed in accordance with North Carolina public records law.
Randolph County Sheriff's Office
727 McDowell Rd, Asheboro, NC 27205
Phone: (336) 318-6699
Randolph County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
3. Online Court Search
The North Carolina Courts case search portal allows members of the public to search civil and criminal case information statewide. Users may search by party name, case number, or county. The portal reflects case status as updated by the clerk's office and may not capture same-day filings or sealed matters.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) maintains the statewide criminal history repository. Formal background check requests require submission of the subject's full name, date of birth, and, for certified checks, fingerprint cards. Processing times and fees vary by request type; at present, the standard fee for a name-based criminal history check is $14.00.
North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
3320 Garner Rd, Raleigh, NC 27626
Phone: (919) 662-4500
NC SBI Criminal History Records
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be directed to the Randolph County Superior Court Clerk's Office at 176 E Salisbury St, Asheboro, NC 27203. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, case number if known, and a description of the records sought. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.
What Is Randolph County Criminal Record
A criminal record is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and state repositories. In North Carolina, criminal records are created at the point of arrest and updated as a case progresses through arraignment, plea negotiations, trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appellate proceedings.
The distinction between record types is significant for legal and practical purposes:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt. A conviction record reflects a formal finding or plea of guilt by a court of competent jurisdiction.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felony records involve more serious offenses and carry greater collateral consequences. Misdemeanor records document lesser offenses but remain part of the permanent criminal history unless expunged.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are subject to public disclosure under state law. Juvenile records are confidential by statute and are not accessible to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest. Historical records document resolved matters, including dismissed charges, acquittals, and completed sentences.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Randolph County include the Randolph County Sheriff's Office (arrest and jail records), the Randolph County Superior Court (case files and dispositions), the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (statewide criminal history repository), and local municipal police departments. Records may reflect charges filed, arraignment dates, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing terms, fines, restitution orders, and probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Randolph County
Criminal records in Randolph County are subject to public disclosure under the North Carolina Public Records Law, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1, which defines public records as "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business."
Under current law, adult conviction records, court proceedings, and case dispositions are accessible to the public. The following categories of records are subject to restricted access or are exempt from disclosure:
- Juvenile records, which are sealed pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-3000
- Expunged records, which are treated as though the underlying event never occurred
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records sealed by court order
The North Carolina Department of Justice provides guidance on the scope of public records access and the procedures for challenging improper denials of access. Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to North Carolina's public records framework.
How To Find Criminal Records in Randolph County Online
Official County Resources
The North Carolina Courts case search portal provides online access to criminal case information for Randolph County. Users may search by the subject's name or case number. The portal displays case status, charge descriptions, court dates, and dispositions. Registration is not required for basic searches. The Randolph County Sheriff's Office publishes a current inmate roster on its official website, accessible through the Randolph County government portal.
State-Level Resources
The NC Courts statewide portal enables searches across all 100 North Carolina counties. The NC SBI background check system provides certified criminal history reports for employment, licensing, and other formal purposes.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches yield the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records
- Understand that records predating digital systems may not appear in online searches
- Expunged or sealed records will not appear in public-facing databases
Limitations
Online databases reflect a data lag of hours to several days following a court event. Historical records predating electronic filing systems may require in-person requests. Online searches do not constitute official background checks for employment or licensing purposes.
Can You Search Randolph County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection
North Carolina law mandates that public records be made available for inspection free of charge. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, agencies may charge only for the actual cost of reproducing records, not for inspection. Members of the public may inspect criminal case files at the Randolph County Superior Court Clerk's Office and use public access terminals at no cost.
2. Free Online Databases
| Resource | Cost | Access |
|---|---|---|
| NC Courts Case Search | Free | Online |
| Randolph County Inmate Roster | Free | Online |
| NC SBI Name-Based Check | $14.00 | Online/Mail |
| Certified Court Copy | Per-page fee | In-Person/Mail |
3. Sheriff's Logs
Daily arrest and booking reports maintained by the Randolph County Sheriff's Office are available for public inspection at no charge during regular business hours.
What Costs Money
- Certified copies of court documents: fees set by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts
- Official state criminal history background checks: $14.00 per name-based request
- Staff-assisted record searches requiring extended research time
- Expedited processing requests
What's Included in a Randolph County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A criminal record includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, State Identification Number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond conditions, and the jail facility where the subject was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court of jurisdiction, filing date, statutory charges with felony or misdemeanor classification, plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing terms (including incarceration length, fines, restitution, and probationary conditions), any appeals filed, and current probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective orders
- Sex offender registration status (searchable through the NC Sex Offender Registry)
- DUI/DWI adjudications
- Pending charges
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile adjudications
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed pretrial diversion programs where records have been expunged
Accuracy Note
Criminal records may contain clerical errors. Individuals who identify inaccuracies in their own records may petition the originating court or the NC SBI for correction. Employers and licensing boards are advised to verify records through official channels rather than relying solely on third-party aggregators.
How Long Does Randolph County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
North Carolina courts operate under retention schedules established by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts. These schedules govern how long different categories of records must be preserved before destruction or transfer to archival storage.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by the court and the NC SBI
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in the court record
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained by the Sheriff's Office; subject to expunction petition under state law
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained permanently in court records, with disposition noted; eligible for expunction under qualifying circumstances
- Juvenile records: Sealed at age 18 and subject to destruction after a statutory period pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-3000
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution
Agency Differences
County courts retain case files permanently under AOC retention rules. The Sheriff's Office retains jail and booking records for a period determined by the county's records retention schedule. The NC SBI retains conviction records permanently in the statewide repository.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper documents may be destroyed following scanning and digital preservation, provided the electronic copy meets archival standards.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Destruction refers to the physical or digital elimination of a record at the end of its retention period.
- Sealing restricts public access to a record without eliminating it; the record remains accessible to law enforcement.
- Expungement is a legal process by which a court orders a record removed from public view and, in some cases, from law enforcement databases. North Carolina's expunction statutes are codified at N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-145 and related provisions. Eligibility depends on the nature of the offense, the outcome of the case, and the time elapsed since disposition.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and are not subject to North Carolina's expunction orders unless the FBI is separately notified and complies.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions appear on background checks indefinitely unless expunged. Consumer reporting agencies conducting employment background checks are subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of most criminal records to seven years for positions paying below a statutory threshold, though no such limit applies to positions above that threshold. Professional licensing boards in North Carolina may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the conviction.
Even if the county destroys physical records at the end of a retention period, electronic copies may persist in state databases unless the subject has obtained a valid expunction order that legally compels removal.